§ 18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India when the Government of India is expected to start its own air mail service from Karachi to Calcutta, via Delhi; whether in the meantime it could be arranged for this service to be run by Imperial Airways, so as to connect England with Australia, via Burma and the Straits Settlements; and what is the present position with regard to air mails across India?
§ Mr. BENNAs I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 23rd February, the extension of the Indian State Air Service to Calcutta is expected to be in operation by the end of this year. No proposals for the working of the Karachi to Calcutta section of the air route to Australia by Imperial Airways Limited are before the Government of India. Mails are at present being carried from London by air as far as Delhi only.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask whether this was not one of the questions exhaustively discussed at the Imperial Conference, and is there no way of hastening the completion of this Imperial air route?
§ Mr. BENNI have stated that it is intended that the link between Delhi and Calcutta shall be put into operation as soon as practical considerations permit.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the words "no proposals" in his answer?
§ Mr. BENNWhat is meant is that where the line is worked it will be worked by the Government of India.
Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman say what practical considerations stand in the ways of this proposal being carried out except the refusal of the Government of India to implement their promise?
§ Mr. BENNI cannot admit that there has been any refusal to implement any promise on the part of the Government of India. The policy of the Government of India is that this line shall be operated by the Government of India and that policy is being carried through.